Mathis matched a career high with the third fourth-hit game of his big league career, his second this season.

Alvarez (9-12) allowed three runs in seven innings to beat his childhood idol. Both pitchers were born in Valencia, Venezuela.

"[Hernandez] is the guy that I always follow," Alvarez said through a translator. "I'm always looking forward to see what he's doing so he can accomplish the same thing."

Alvarez, who walked three and struck out two, has won back-to-back starts for the first time since July 22-28.

Brad Lincoln and Aaron Loup each worked one inning of relief as Toronto avoided a sixth straight defeat to Seattle.

Hernandez (13-8) allowed a season-high seven runs and 10 hits in four innings, struck out four and walked one. He has a 9.00 in his last three outings, losing three consecutive starts for the first time since Sept. 12-24 last year.

"That was terrible right there," a frustrated Hernandez said.

Hernandez matched a season-high by giving up 11 hits to Oakland in his last start, and complained afterward that none of his pitches had been working.

"Today, nothing was working either," he said after being beaten around by the Blue Jays.

Hernandez is 2-3 since throwing the major leagues' 23rd perfect game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15.

"I have to do something," he said. "The last three starts have been disappointing."

Brett Lawrie's two-run single put the Blue Jays ahead in the fourth, Colby Rasmus walked and Encarnacion followed with his three-run drive.

"That was a decent pitch and he hit it a mile," Mariners catcher John Jaso said.

Notes

When Encarnacion's bat shattered on his groundout in the first inning, the barrel flew into the Blue Jays dugout and struck pitching coach Bruce Walton on a forearm. Walton, who sustained a bruise, was taken for precautionary X-rays. "Fortunately he was able to get his arms up in front of his face," Farrell said. "And that's where it was heading: right up into his head." Bullpen coach Pete Walker replaced Walton on Toronto's bench.

Davis was nearly thrown out after making a big turn around first on his infield single in the third and was later thrown out at third after going too far round the bag on Mathis' bunt single.

Blue Jays RHP Chad Jenkins is expected to head to Instructional League next week to get work as a starter, allowing him to be stretched out enough for a major league start before the end of the season.

Seattle INF Carlos Triunfel doubled in the ninth, his first career hit.

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